On July 1, 2024, Arielle Rodriguez Maffei, 35, became the youngest and first Latina Planned Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL) Board Chair in the organization’s 100-year history. Maffei steps into the Board Chair role at a crucial moment, two years after Roe was overturned and Illinois is increasing its status as a haven state for sexual and reproductive health care. Maffei’s background is in advocacy and politics. She worked as a White House scheduling and advanced intern under President Obama, with President Clinton to advance the mission of the Clinton Foundation and is the founding president of the Young Democrats of Chicago and past president of the Young Democrats of Illinois. She was the in-house government affairs associate for Simmons Hanly Conroy, a nationally-recognized law firm that represents families affected by mesothelioma and asbestos-related cancers. Maffei then served as vice president of Alexander, Borovicka, & O’Shea Government Solutions where she supported multiple client accounts. Maffei recently served as a Vice President at McGuireWoods Consulting where she used her experience and knowledge of the political landscape to provide clients with recommendations and guidance on legislative issues. As the PPIL Board Chair, Maffei will lead the Board to govern all 18 health centers across the state as well as telehealth services.

Photo Credit: Planned Parenthood